Birthday stocking

ABSTRACT

A decorative receptacle capable of containing and supporting gift and food items to be presented as a gift in recognition of an individual&#39;s birthday. The birthday receptacle includes an add-on loop for attaching trinkets, jewelry, or other decorative or gift items of a size capable of being supported by the add-on loop. The birthday receptacle may be included as one component of a kit having a container of fabric paint and a brush to allow the consumer to customize the exterior surface of the receptacle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a decorative enlarged stocking shaped cloth receptacle with an enlarged neck for holding gifts and food items to be presented to an individual celebrating a birthday.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Christmas stockings have been hung by fireplaces containing and supporting small gifts and food items for many years. Actual human stockings have even been used. Typically small insignificant gifts such as candy bars and fruit are placed in the hung stocking on Christmas Eve. The shape of a conventional stocking and the narrow necks restrict the size of a gift inserted therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A decorative individualized birthday stocking-shaped cloth receptacle sized much larger than a human stocking for holding one or more significant birthday gifts and food items. The enlarged stocking-shaped receptacle may be presented as a gift with or without presents or food items inside. The birthday receptacle comprises a cloth stocking body member, personalized indicia or printing ink for adding personalized indicia to said receptacle, and one or more add-on loops. The cloth body receptacle comprises an exterior fabric surface, an interior fabric surface enclosing a void of sufficient size to contain gifts and food items, and one open end for receiving objects that are placed inside said stocking. The neck opening of the receptacle is enlarged to at least a 5 inch diameter circle and the length to the heel is greater than one foot. This allows for one or more large gifts. A gift need not be wrapped because the cloth receptacle acts as wrapping paper.

The personalized indicia either printed, stamped, stitched, sewn, or otherwise attached to the exterior surface of the stocking member may include, but are not limited to, the name of the gift recipient and/or a brief personalized message of birthday congratulations and well-wishes. The stocking is manufactured with certain standard celebratory messages, such as “Happy Birthday,” and is also produced without these messages to permit complete customization by the consumer.

The add-on loop comprises a ribbon, string, or another suitable strip material having two free ends solidly connected preferably to an upper portion or cuff of the stocking to form a closed loop to which is secured one or more trinkets representing birthday well-wishes, jewelry, or any other item of a sufficiently small enough size and weight to be attached to said add-on loop.

The exterior surface of the stocking is decorated with alphanumeric characters, graphic art, pictures, photographs, or all of these in combination to form a birthday theme such as chocolates. The stocking may be used as a decoration capable of being hung or displayed in another suitable manner or may be used for holding gifts or food items placed inside of said stocking in recognition of the individual's birthday.

The birthday stocking is constructed preferably from polyester fabric, although any other suitable natural or synthetic cloth material may also be used to construct said stocking. The inner layer and outer layer of material, which form the interior surface and exterior surface of the stocking, are stitched, sewn, or otherwise permanently attached together, thereby creating a void between said inner and outer layers of material. The void created by the attachment of the inner layer of material to the outer layer of material may be stuffed with a soft, plush, natural or synthetic material that increases the overall softness and plushness of the stocking. The stocking may also include attachment areas for, or be constructed from a material capable of, engaging a detachable patch or other object having at least one surface comprising hook-and-loop fasteners.

The birthday gift or gifts received in the festive receptacle do not need wrapping because of the decorations on the receptacle.

The birthday stocking may also be assembled as part of a kit having components for personalizing the decorative birthday stocking. The components of the kit include a cloth stocking member, a container of fabric paint, a brush, and one or more add-one loops solidly connected to the stocking member. The kit may also include any other permanently attachable decorative items, detachable decorative items, and securing means. The fabric paint included in the kit allows the consumer to add personalized indicia that can be a name or names, a brief personalized message of birthday congratulations, or any other indicia to the exterior surface of the stocking. The brush is used to apply the fabric paint to the exterior surface of the stocking.

An object of the invention is to provide a festively decorated birthday stocking shaped receptacle for holding gifts or food items that need not be wrapped and for displaying on the occasion of an individual's birthday.

Another object of the invention is to provide a birthday stocking that is customizable by adding personalized indicia or decorative items to the surfaces of the stocking and by attaching trinkets, jewelry or other items to the add-on loop of the stocking.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a kit containing a birthday receptacle and decorative items, securing means, one or more brushes, and fabric paint or fabric ink pens for allowing the consumer to personalize the surfaces of the birthday receptacle to his or her liking.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the birthday receptacle that may be customized by using different colors or patterns of cloth fabric or by adding other items to the exterior surface of the receptacle.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the birthday receptacle with the interior void visible.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the birthday receptacle with the inner and outer layers unstitched at the top on one side of said receptacle to reveal the layers of material comprising the receptacle.

FIG. 4 shows a kit containing a birthday receptacle, a container of fabric paint, a brush, fabric ink pens, one or more patches that are detachable or are permanently attachable to the receptacle, and a container holding glitter, cut-out alphanumeric characters, buttons, rhinestones, or another decorative item.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a decorative birthday receptacle 10 for holding birthday gifts and food items. The receptacle 10 may be presented as a gift with or without presents or food items inside. The birthday receptacle 10 comprises a cloth receptacle member 12, personalized indicia 14 or means for adding personalized indicia to said receptacle member 12, and one or more add-on loops 16 firmly attached to the receptacle member 12. The cloth receptacle member 12 comprises an exterior surface 12 a, an interior surface 12 b enclosing a void 18 of sufficient size to contain small gifts and food items, and one open end 12 c for receiving objects that are placed inside said receptacle. Gifts, food items, and other objects are placed into the void 18 inside of said receptacle member 12 through the open end 12 c of the receptacle member 12. The cloth receptacle member 12 can be manufactured in any size, but preferably is manufactured in small, medium, large, and extra large sizes with an option for the consumer to order customer-specified sizes of said receptacle 10. The cloth receptacle member 12 can also be produced using any color or patter of cloth fabric, and preferably, is produced in festive colors and patterns reflective of the celebration of an individual's birthday.

The personalized indicia 14 are printed, stamped, stitched, sewn, or otherwise attached to the exterior surface 12 a of the receptacle member 12. Said personalized indicia 14 may include, but are not limited to, the name of the gift recipient and/or a brief personalized message of birthday congratulations and well-wishes. The receptacle 10 is manufactured with certain standard celebratory messages, such as “Happy Birthday,” and is also produced without these messages to permit complete customization by the consumer.

The add-on loop 16 comprises a ribbon, string, or another suitable strip material having two free ends 16 a and 16 b solidly connected preferably to an upper portion or cuff 20 of the receptacle member 12 to form a closed loop to which is secured one or more trinkets 22 representing birthday well-wishes, jewelry, or any other item of a sufficiently small enough size and weight to be attached to said add-on loop 16. The trinkets 22, also commonly known as charms such as those connected to “charm bracelets,” may comprise alphanumeric indicia or other artwork representations printed, stamped, embossed, or otherwise affixed to a surface of a piece of metal, plastic, wood, mineral, or other suitable material. The trinkets 22 may be molded in the shape of alphanumeric characters, animals, gift boxes, balloons, or other suitable shapes that may be selected by the manufacturer or by the consumer.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the exterior surface 12 a of the receptacle member 12 is decorated with alphanumeric characters, graphic art, pictures, photographs, or all of these in combination. The birthday receptacle 10 preferably is decorated with congratulatory words relating to an individual's birthday as well as graphic art, pictures, photographs, or all of these in combination that symbolize, connote, or evoke suggestions of congratulations or well-wishes for the individual's birthday. The receptacle 10 may be used as a decoration capable of being hung or displayed in another suitable manner or may be used for holding gifts or food items placed inside of the receptacle member 12 in recognition of the individual's birthday. The receptacle 10 may be sold empty so that the customer can choose the items to be placed inside of said receptacle 10 or may present the receptacle 10 empty as a gift. The birthday receptacle 10 also may be sold with pre-selected gift or food items placed inside the interior void 18 of the receptacle member 12.

The birthday receptacle 10 is constructed preferably from polyester, although any other suitable natural or synthetic cloth material may also be used to construct said receptacle 10. The cloth material of the one or both of the exterior and interior surfaces 12 a and 12 b of the receptacle member 12 may include a pattern. The interior surface 12 b of the receptacle member 12 preferably is constructed from an inner layer 12 bb of material stitched, sewn, or otherwise permanently attached to the material forming the exterior surface 12 a of the receptacle member 12. Said exterior surface 12 a of the receptacle member 12 preferably is constructed from an outer layer 12 aa of material stitched, sewn, or otherwise permanently attached to the material forming the interior surface 12 b of the receptacle member 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner layer 12 bb and outer layer 12 aa of material are stitched, sewn, or otherwise permanently attached together, thereby creating a fully enclosed void (not shown in the drawings) between said inner and outer layers, 12 bb and 12 aa, of material. The enclosed void created by the attachment of the inner layer 12 bb of material to the outer layer 12 aa of material is stuffed with a soft, plush, natural or synthetic material (not shown in the drawings) that increases the overall softness and plushness of the receptacle 10. The stuffing material within the enclosed void between the inner and outer layers, 12 bb and 12 aa, of the receptacle member 12 may comprise quilting material to provide the receptacle 10 with a soft, plush, quilted feel to the touch. In an alternate embodiment, the receptacle member 12 may be constructed from one or more pieces of natural or synthetic cloth material stitched, sewn, or otherwise permanently attached together as a patchwork, much like a quilt, to form said receptacle 10.

The exterior surface 12 a of the receptacle member 12 may be decorated or adorned with buttons, rhinestones, jewels, trim, ribbons, fringes, ruffles, lace, stitching, personalized indicia 14, non-personalized indicia representing well-wishes for a happy birthday, graphic art, logos, pictures, photographs, patches that personalized or non-personalized indicia, graphic art, logos, pictures, photographs, or a combination of all of these, or any other ornamental or decorative object that can be attached to the exterior surface 12 a of said receptacle member 12. The receptacle 10 may also include attachment areas for, or be constructed from a material capable of, engaging a detachable patch 26 or other object having at least one surface comprising hook-and-loop fasteners, low-tack adhesive, or other suitable fastening means. The patch 26 preferably is constructed from polyester so as to form a surface on which a fabric paint 28 or one or more fabric ink pens 30 may be applied by an individual or by mechanical means to personalize said receptacle 10.

The birthday receptacle 10 also includes a loop 32 of material constructed from any suitable material and forming a closed opening 32 a through which a nail, screw, tack, or other suitable securing member can be inserted to attach said receptacle 10 to a wall or other surface for hanging as a display or for storage. This loop 32 of material engages the receptacle member 12 at the top near the open end 12 c of said receptacle member 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates the invention assembled as a kit 100 having components for personalizing a decorative birthday receptacle 10 capable of holding birthday gifts and food items. The components of the kit 100 include one or more cloth receptacle members 12, one or more containers of fabric paint 28, one or more brushes 34, and one or more add-one loops 16. These components are sealed within a plastic bag 36 or any other suitable container. The structure and function of both the cloth receptacle member 12 and add-on loop 16 is the same as previously described. The container of fabric paint 28 included in the kit 100 allows the consumer to add personalized indicia 14 that can be a name or names, a brief personalized message of birthday congratulations, or any other indicia to the exterior surface 12 a of the receptacle member 12. The brush 34 or other paint-application apparatus is used to apply the fabric paint 28 to the exterior surface of the receptacle 10. Several containers holding multiple colors of fabric paint 28 may be included in the kit 100.

The kit 100 may also contain fabric ink pens 30 of one or more colors for writing or drawing on the exterior surface 12 a of the receptacle member 12 as well as other items allowing personalization of the receptacle, including, but not limited to, fabric glue, glitter, ribbon, yarn, string, cut-out alphanumeric characters, sewing needles, buttons, and rhinestones. The fabric paint 28 and fabric ink pens 30 can used to add personalized indicia 14, messages, or artwork to the exterior surface 12 a of the receptacle member 12. The fabric paint 28 and brush 34 and/or fabric ink pens 30 may also be used to add personalized indicia 14, messages, or artwork to a patch 26 that can be detachable or that is permanently attached to the exterior surface 12 a of said receptacle member 12.

The invention can include the use of an iron-on patch that can say “Happy Birthday” or additional phrases like “Birthday Baby,” “Birthday Boy,” and “Birthday Girl.”

The invention could also be used with the structure as described above for a wedding with a stocking for gifts that in lieu of a specific greeting would have the name of the couple that are getting married on a heart-shaped patch on the stocking.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

1. A decorative birthday receptacle for holding birthday gifts and food items comprising: a cloth receptacle member having an exterior surface, an interior surface enclosing a void of sufficient size to contain gifts and food items, and one open end for receiving objects that are placed inside said receptacle; personalized indicia that may include, but are not limited to, the name of the gift recipient and/or a brief personalized message of birthday congratulations to the exterior surface of the receptacle; and one or more add-on loops for securing trinkets representing birthday well-wishes, jewelry, or any other item of a sufficiently small enough size and weight that is capable of being attached to said add-on loop.
 2. The birthday receptacle of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of said receptacle is decorated with alphanumeric characters, graphic art, pictures, photographs, or all of these in combination.
 3. The birthday receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle preferably is decorated with congratulatory words relating to an individual's birthday as well as graphic art, pictures, photographs, or all of these in combination that symbolize, connote, or evoke suggestions of congratulations or well-wishes for the individual's birthday.
 4. The birthday receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is useful as a decoration capable of being hung or displayed in another suitable manner or is used for holding gifts or food items placed inside of said receptacle in recognition of the individual's birthday.
 5. The birthday receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is constructed preferably from polyester, although any other suitable natural or synthetic cloth material may also be used to construct said receptacle.
 6. The birthday receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle contains quilting material to provide the receptacle with a soft, plush, quilted feel to the touch.
 7. The birthday receptacle of claim 1, wherein the cloth material of the exterior surface of the receptacle includes a pattern.
 8. The birthday receptacle of claim 1, wherein the cloth material of the interior surface of the receptacle includes a pattern.
 9. The birthday receptacle of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the receptacle is decorated or adorned with buttons, rhinestones, jewels, trim, ribbons, fringes, ruffles, lace, stitching, personalized indicia, non-personalized indicia representing well-wishes for a happy birthday, graphic art, logos, pictures, photographs, patches that personalized or non-personalized indicia, graphic art, logos, pictures, photographs, or a combination of all of these, or any other ornamental or decorative object that can be attached to the exterior surface of said receptacle.
 10. The birthday receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a loop of material constructed from any suitable material and forming a closed opening through which a nail, screw, tack, or other suitable securing member can be inserted to attach said receptacle to a wall or other surface for hanging as a display or for storage.
 11. The birthday receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes attachment areas for, or is constructed from a material capable of, engaging a detachable patch or other object having at least one surface comprising hook-and-loop fasteners, low-tack adhesive, or other suitable fastening means.
 12. The birthday receptacle of claim 11, wherein the patch preferably is constructed from polyester so as to form a surface on which fabric paint or fabric ink may be applied by an individual or by mechanical means to personalize said receptacle.
 13. The birthday receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is constructed from one or more pieces of natural or synthetic cloth material stitched, sewn, or otherwise permanently attached together to form said receptacle.
 14. The birthday receptacle of claim 13, wherein the interior surface of the receptacle preferably is constructed from an inner layer of material stitched, sewn, or otherwise permanently attached to the material forming the exterior surface of the receptacle, and the exterior surface of the receptacle preferably is constructed from an outer layer of material stitched, sewn, or otherwise permanently attached to the material forming the interior surface of the receptacle.
 15. The birthday receptacle of claim 14, wherein the inner layer of material and the outer layer of material are stitched, sewn, or otherwise permanently attached together, thereby creating a void between said inner and outer layers of material.
 16. The birthday receptacle of claim 15, wherein the void created by the attachment of the inner layer of material to the outer layer of material is stuffed with some soft, plush, natural or synthetic material that increases the overall softness and plushness of the receptacle.
 17. A kit for personalizing a decorative birthday receptacle for holding birthday gifts and food items comprising: one or more cloth receptacle members having an exterior surface, an interior surface enclosing a void of sufficient size to contain gifts and food items, and one open end for receiving objects that are placed inside said receptacle; one or more containers of fabric paint that may contain one or more colors of fabric paint for adding personalized indicia that can be a name or names, a brief personalized message of birthday congratulations, or any other indicia to the exterior surface of the receptacle one or more paint application apparatuses, but preferably a brush or brushes, for applying the fabric paint to the exterior surface of the receptacle; and one or more add-on loops for securing trinkets representing birthday well-wishes, jewelry, or any other item of a sufficiently small enough size and weight that is capable of being attached to said add-on loop.
 18. The kit of claim 17, wherein said kit may also contain fabric ink pens of one or more colors and other items allowing personalization of the receptacle, including, but not limited to, fabric glue, glitter, ribbon, yarn, string, trinkets, charms, cut-out alphanumeric characters, sewing needles, buttons, and rhinestones.
 19. The kit of claim 17, wherein the fabric paint or fabric ink pens are used to add personalized indicia, messages, or artwork to the exterior surface of the receptacle.
 20. The kit of claim 17, wherein the fabric paint or fabric ink pens are used to add personalized indicia, messages, or artwork to a patch that can be detachable or that is permanently attached to the exterior surface of said receptacle. 